Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss is dismissed. The Board grants a 10% rating for his right knee disability effective February 12, 1996 and finds that the earliest possible effective date for this rating is February 12, 1996. The claim for an earlier effective date for the right knee disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of a right thigh disability, a lump above the collarbone, or a left knee disability. The claims for service connection for these conditions are denied as there is no competent evidence linking them to active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not causally related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is attributable to service. The left knee injury with residual degenerative joint disease resulted in a noncompensable evaluation, which was subsequently increased to 20 percent effective January 27, 1997. The Veteran's left knee limitation of motion is rated separately at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claim for service connection for a back condition remains pending.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a chronic neurologic disability manifested by hand and arm numbness, hypertension did not increase in severity during service, and hearing loss of the left ear was not shown to have increased in severity during service. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinea pedis, lower back condition, and PTSD. The claims for service connection for a shoulder condition were referred to the RO.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and mild bilateral pes planus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's current hearing loss conditions. The issues of service connection for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to increased ratings for right ear hearing loss on both schedular and extraschedular bases are also being addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The underlying claim on the merits is being remanded for further development and adjudication.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current disability level does not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to active service, and his claims for higher ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and earlier effective dates are granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss based on the evidence of in-service acoustic trauma and current hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable initial evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for asthma as new and material evidence was not provided, and also denied service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection claims related to bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and flat feet with secondary back disability.

The Board remands the issues of an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and a higher rating for right hand shrapnel wound residuals to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) for further development.